Work has begun on a £6m water storage reservoir to protect a North Yorkshire village from floods.

Catterick was badly affected in 2012 when heavy rainfall caused flash flooding, forcing the closure of the nearby A1(M) for 24 hours.

The reservoir, which is being built between Brough Park and the A1, will hold 91 million gallons of flood water, the Environment Agency said.

About 150 properties would be protected from future flooding, the agency said.

Owl boxes

The project involves constructing two 6m tall earth embankments and filling in a section of Brough Beck. A new wetland area will also be created.

It has been jointly funded by the agency, Highways England and North Yorkshire County Council and is expected to be completed next year.

Phil Boyes, project manager at the agency, said: "When completed, the storage reservoir will hold flood water back so it flows more slowly down Brough Beck towards Catterick village and the new section of the A1.

"This will significantly reduce flood risk in the area.

"We have also undertaken detailed ecological surveys to ensure that the impact on local wildlife is minimised and we will be installing bird and owl boxes as part of the site accommodation works."